Folding shelf



Jn Wy 5 W. J. DOBKIN 2,494,798

FOLDING SHELF Filed sept. 25, 1944 s sheets-sheet 1 W E nai /f .57 a IPIVENTOR.

43 WL'lham Ddbkln.

I HC42 Z; I

f ATTORNEYS.

Jan, M, m95@ W, DOBKlN 2,494,798

FOLDING SHELF Filed Sept. 25, 1944 l 5 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR.

William Dn'b'kn f Tg l g Mfw@ ATTORNEYS.

J. N, 1950 W. J. DOBKIN 494,798

FOLDING SHELF' Filed Sept. 25, 1944 l 3 SheeS--Shee'l 5 "t /ll/ gp/@f6 /3 INVENTOF?.

Willi am J. D mbk 'U1 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 17, 1950 2,494,798 FoLDrNG SHELF 'Wllliaxn '.I. "Dobldn, New York, Y.,.1asslgnor to The Nik-O-.Lok Company, `Indianapolis, Ind., acorporation "of Indiana Appiiafmsepiember 25, i944, serial No. `555,673

STATES PATENT OFFICE "i jThe presentinventionrelates to 'folding 'shelves particularly well adapted altho not necessarily limited Alor use in 'toilet booths. o

The `principal `objects ofthe invention `are `to provide folding shelves` which are durable; -nexpensive 'to manufacture; 'sturdy `in that they mayksuppbrt reasonably heavy loads and )be subgiected `to shocks :and strains without likelihood lof 'becominginoperativ and, each `preferably including ,al bracket adapted to 4he attached to `an upright member, sueh as a `Wall or partition `so that the axis kof the shelf proper extends 113erpendiciilar "to the face .of theuprightmemben or attached jto either ,a 'right or "a left jamb,osuch as a door jainb, with Ythe axis of the shelf proper yparallel to the face ofthe jamb, when the shelf proper is in a load receiving position.

`.A folding .shelf including afbracket of the character described 'may thus be attached tothe Aside wall" or partition of a toilet booth,`so that the shelf proper, when 'in a load receiving position, extends partiallyacross the doorway of Atheiiooth '(provided `the or partition is Asuiiiciently close to the doorway to accomplish this), thus requiring a person to rst foldth'e shelf proper in order to conveniently 4find exit from the booth.; or the folding shelf may .be attached to `the door jainb to likewise act asl an obstruction to 'ready exit, if the side wall or partition is "so remote from the doorway to accomplish this, or if itis desirable to use some of the bolts usually p'rovided to secure latch plates or strike 'plates to jams of booths, as mediums `for attaching `the shelf bracketin plaee. o o

In the case oi inwardly swinging boothdoors, the folding shelf may take the place of the usual latchin that the shelf proper may be swung to a load receiving position and act as a barrier to the opening of the door, or swung upwardly toa folded position thus permitting free opening of the door. 4 i `Another object of the invention is to provide a folding shelffcomprising a bracket and a shelf proper swingably connected thereto, so that the latter may be swung upwardly froina load `ireceiving position to a` folded position, `the shelf proper preferably comprising a major service portion for supporting paraphernalia such as purses, gloves, packages, books, etc., and a minor service portion adapted to receive small articles, such as cigarettes, pins, etc. which, if left in place when the shelf proper being moved to a folded position, will finally slide and fall 'by gravity therefrom, tous` leaving the shelf clear of waste material and the like.

`.another `object of the invention is to'providea `folding 'shelf including a shelf `prope'r and la bracket, 'and `adjustable means 'having the dual function of swingabiy connecting the former itc `the llatter, 4and yieldably holding th'e shelf proper 'in a folded position; the means `being such that it 'may be adjusted to that ninety, where it auto- .inaticallyswings the shelf Vproper throughout the greater portion of 'its Varc of movement from :an unloaded, :load receiving position, reiter la person has manually started its swinging movement, to a .folded position.

'Another object of the invention is to provide Pa combined -brace and movement limiting means cooperating `with the `shelf proper fandfbracke't, `which `is siniple, sturdy :and not `likely to result lin to persons swinging theshelf :proper from a 'folded position to a load lreceiving position and vice versa. fOther vobjectsand advantages `of 'the invention `will appear in 'the following detailed description fof the preferred `eii'icoi'iiment fof the invention, taken `in Iconnection with 'the `accoinpanyii'rg drawings, `forming ai partof this specification, and in which fdrawings: 1

Fig. 1 is ja Vtop `plan view fof the folding shelf, Ashown attached to a partition.

Fig. 2 ris aside elevation of the same, the partition 'being "in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line A9 3 of Fig. 2.

o Fig. 4 is a detailed fragmentary view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, at a portion `of the folding sheliwhere the shelf proper is lswingaioly connected 'to the bracket.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view `on substantiallythe line 5-5`Uf Fig.` 1.

Fig. 6 is 'a view 'in front `elevation with the shelf proper ina Vfolded position,

Fig. 7 is a fragrnentaryview on the line `1`1 of Fig. -6.

Fig. `8 is `a rear `elevation showing particularly `preferred details of the bracket.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary viewcn a reduced scale, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing the folding shelf secured to the partition of a toiletbooth having an inwardly swinging door and with the shelf proper acting to prevent opening of the door., o

` Fig. 10 is a view sirni l i* to Fig. 9, but showing the folding shelf secured to the door vjanilt of the booth. y o v v v Fig. 11 is an `enlarged detailed view,"pa1"tly`jin horizontal section and partly in pla-n showing vto: a stile I6. =in that the outer faces of the offset 43 and rib 44 more particularly the mode of fastening the folding shelf to the jamb as in Fig. 10.

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional views on the lines I2-I2 and I3-I3, of Figs. 11 and 12, respectively.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a trunnion or pintle and fragment of a coil spring forming a part of the preferred means of swingably connecting the shelf proper to its bracket and for swinging the former to a folded position when manually started from a service position of rest.

In the drawings, the invention is shown more particularly in Figs. 9-13, associated with structural members of a booth,'but this is merely by way of example. In these views are shown a wall or partition I5, stiles I6, a door I1 provided with a hinge I9 and a strike plate I9 secured in place by bolts 28 and nuts 2|.

The folding shelf in the example shown com- Figs. 1-5 and 9-11) to an upright folded position,

and vice-versa.

The bracket 22 is preferably a casting comprising an elongated plate-like or web-like body por..

tion 28 and when attached to a wall or stile has its 4longitudinal axis horizontal, with a vertical rear face 29 confronting the wall I5, if applied to a Wall; spacing ribs 3|] shown more particularly in Fig. 8 extending rearwardly from face 29, which may comprise vertical portions 3l and upper diverging portions 32, these ribs cooperating with the wall I5 to vprovide a mouth 33 and throat 34 .for guiding waste material which may find its way into the mouth 33 as hereinafter described;

.end flanges 35 and 36 `at opposite ends of body portion 28 adapted to be selectively secured to a 'right or'a left jamb; spaced sleeves 31, one located above each end'ange 35 and 36; and spaced pivot Vlugs 1I extending from a face 38 of the body portion 28 at the vertical medial line of the vbracket for connection of a part of means 26.y

It is also preferred to provide upper and lower .horizontal strengthening ribs 21 and 39 extending yfrom face V38 and joined to the flanges 35 and 36. `Th`e rib 39 may vbe provided with a centrally lo-` cated notch 404 formed in its upright face, below Vthe space between pivot lugs 1I.

The body portion 28 isprovided with a plurality of perforations `4| for receiving the Shanks of screws or bolts 42 when the folding shelf is applied to a'wall or partition. The flanges 35'and 36 are each preferably shaped to provide av lower offset 43 and an upper transverse rib 44, provided with a vertical slot 45 and a bore 46, re-

spectively, for receiving the Shanks of bolts 20,

as shown in Fig. 13, when the bracket is secured This construction is advantageous may be filed or ground to permit installation with the shelf proper in a truly horizontal load receivable and in place at the time of installation as Awhen they are there for securing the strike plate I9, the spacing of the bolts being different in different makes and models of hardware.

Referring now to the shelf proper, the preferred form is made wholly or in part of an elongated sheet of metal fabricated, stamped and treated to provide a major service portion 48 surrounded, at its sides by upwardly directed rounded flanges 49, at its free end by a similar flange 50, and at its hinged end by a rounded flange 5I which may have a continuation 52 as shown in Figs. 6 and 12 to constitute a hinge sleeve or barrel 41. It is also preferred to round the end flange 50 as shown Yat 5 3 where it merges into the side flanges 49, and

to provide intermediate the said rounded portions a trough shaped minor service portion 51, which mayfsupportv such articles as cigarettes, pins, etc., and also act as a handle to facilitate swinging of the shelf proper, It may also serve as a hook for pendently supporting umbrellas, and other handled articles, such as hand bags and shopping bags. In the example shown the side flanges 49 each have a cutaway portion 54 at the pivot end of the shelf proper, these cutaway' portions accommodating the sleeves 31of the bracket and leavingan ear 55 on. each flange 49 provided with a perforation 56 axially aligned withthehinge sleeveV 41 Vas shown in Fig. 4. The over-all lwidth of the shelf proper is less than the distance between the'outer faces of flanges 35 and 36, as shown' in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, so that when the. .bracket is attached to a stile, the shelf proper' may be swungto a vertical position clear of Contact with the stile. I I

The shelf proper may also include a longitudinally extending rib 58 at its underside, in a plane normal to the axis of the hinge sleeve. This rib serves to strengthen the service .portion 48 and mayform a part of the preferredmeans 26. The rib may be formed of a strip Vof sheet metal doubled upon itself longitudinally, and having outstanding horizontal flanges 59 V,welded or otherwise securedto the bottom of the service 'portion 48.

The means 24 in the example shown includes thehinge sleeve 41, and pintles60, there" being a pintle for each pivot lug 31 of the bracket. Each pintle comprisesa shank 6| and a head t2 preferably provided vwith a screw fdriverreceiving slot 1I).l The shank 6I extends Atll'ruits respective perforation 56 of the shelf '.proper, thru a hole 63 in its respective Vpivot lug 31,l and into the hinge sleeve 41. Since the pintlesmay also serve as a part of the means 25, each is provided with an end Aslot 64, the purpose of which will be later described,l and in order to retain each pintle in its desired position, 'each pivot lug l31 carries a set screw 65 shown in'Fig. 4, the inner end portion of which may extend into a transverse way 66 in the pintle. 'Thus'V the set screw may be turned home ateach h'alf turn of the pintle.

The means 25 in addition to ,the'pintle's 60 preferably comprises two expansion coilsprings 61 accommodated mainly in the hinge 'sleeve'41.

'in' a folded position, and yet permit a 'person to readily move the shelf proper to a load receiving position and have it remain there against accidental displacement. 'In fact thev springs 'may mnemoc be adjusted to such nicetythat they will automatica-lly swing the shelfproper to a, folded position and throughout the greater portion of `the arc of :movement thereof, after a person has `manually moved it slightly from a service position toward a folded position. In practice it is found that, as the center of gravity of the pivoted mass `of :the folding shelf moves 4upwardly with :respect to 'the bracket, its momentum increases due to the action of the springs Bl `andyvery little manual effort is required to fold the shelf.

The means 26 preferably cooperates with the rib 58 for convenience in manufacture and safety purposes, and comprises a rst or major link 12 and a second or minor link 13. The link l2 is preferably of channel shape with its anges 14 at all times embracing the rib 58 as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and with its connecting web 15 lowermost, when the shelf proper is in a load receiving position. The one end of link 12 is pivoted as by cross pin 'i6 to the rib 58 at a point remote from the pivotal axis of the shelf proper and extends downwardly and rearwardly therefrom toward the bracket 22, when the shelf proper is in a normal, load receiving position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The link 13 has its one end connected, as by cross pin Tl to the pivot lugs 'H below the pivoted axis of the shelf proper, and its other end portion pivoted to the free end of link 'l2 as by cross pin 18. As shown in' Fig. 5, the link 13 engages the bracket 22 at notch 40 to limit downward swinging movement of the shelf proper at a time when it is in a horizontal or load supporting position. At that time the link 12 acts as a strut. However as the shelf proper is swung upwardly the link 'l2 iinally contacts the shelf proper, and in the example shown specifically the flanges 59 of rib 5B limiting the upward swinging or folded position of the shelf proper, putting the link 13 under tension. The notch 40 may be deepened if it is found that the shelf proper inclines upwardly from the bracket, when in a load receiving position, so that the link T3 will permit it to assume a true horizontal position.

The preferred construction and operation of the folding shelf is clear from the foregoing description. As to installation in booths, as may be observed from a consideration of Figs. 9 and 10, the folding shelf may take the place of a latch associated with inwardly -swinging booth doors, no matter whether attached to the wall or partition, or to the door stile, and it is obvious that the folding shelf may be applied to the strike stile of either left or right swinging doors. Also if the booth door swings outwardly and the shelf proper has been moved to a load supporting position, the person leaving the booth will naturally swing it to a folded position, to get it out of the way. Thus the folding shelves aid in preventing users of the booths from leaving personal articles therein, and the construction is such that any waste material left on the shelf proper while it is being moved to a folded position will slide therefrom, to the floor, thus rendering the folding shelf self cleaning, so to speak. If the bracket is attached to a wall or partition as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 9 its body portion being spaced from the wall face, by the spacing ribs 30, will permit such waste material to drop thru the throat 34.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

6 `Whatisclaimedis: f e

M1; In a raming shelf, `the combi-nation or a bracket, ashelf proper pivotallyconneeted thereto, Itoswing in :a vertical plane, saidshelf proper .its lianges embracing said rib,and,having its -one end portion pivotally connectedwithnthe shelf proper at a point remote from the pivotal axis of the latter. and a second link pivotally connected with said bracket and to the other end portion of said nrst link, one of said links engaging the bracket when the shelf proper is in a horizontal position, to arrest downward movement, and said iirst link abutting the shelf proper when it is in a folded position.

2. In a folding shelf, the combination of a bracket, a shelf proper pivotally connected thereto to swing in a vertical plane, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of said shelf proper from a normal horizontal, load receiving position to an upright, folded position and vice versa, comprising, a first link having its one end portion pivotally connected with the underside of the shelf proper and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom toward said bracket, when the shelf proper is in the normal horizontal position, and a second link pivotally connected with said bracket at a point below the pivotal axis of the shelf proper and extending downwardly therefrom, when the shelf proper is in said normal position, the other end of said second link being connected to the free end of said first link, one of said links engaging the bracket when the shelf proper is in said normal horizontal position, to arrest downward movement, and said rst link abutting the shelf proper when it is in a folded Position.

3. In a folding shelf, the combination of a bracket; a shelf proper, including a hinge sleeve; and, means pivotally connecting said shelf proper to the bracket, so the former may swing in a vertical plane, and for yieldably urging the shelf proper in an upright, folded position with respect to the bracket, said means comprising a pintle rotatably carried by the bracket and extending into said hinge sleeve, an expansion coil spring having its one end portion coupled to said pintle to be turned therewith, and its other end portion engaging said shelf proper, whereby expansion of the spring tends to rotate the shelf proper about the axis of said pintle, and means for adjustably retaining said pintle in fixed relation to said bracket.

4. As an article of manufacture, a shelf made of sheet material comprising a horizontal. service portion for supporting a load, a reinforcing flange extending along opposite margins of said service portion, and a hinge sleeve formed along another margin of said service portion between said flanges, said flanges provided with holes axially aligned with the bore of said hinge sleeve.

5. In a folding shelf, the combination of a bracket provided with a vertical face and outer side vertical faces in planes at right angles to said first mentioned face; an elongated shelf proper, the over-all width of which is less than the distance between said outer side faces; means pivotally connecting an end portion of said shelf proper to said bracket with its side margins be- 5 tween the planes of said outer side faces of the 7 bracket; and means for limiting' pivotal movement ofthe shelf proper from a position with its plane at a right angle to the plane of said first mentioned face, to a position with the plane of the shelf proper in substantially parallel relation to the plane of said rst mentioned face, or vice versa.

WILLIAM J. DOBKIN.

REFERENCES CITED 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Joyce Nov. 3, 1874 Feinberg Feb. 18, 1896 Beerbower Mar, 11, 1902 May Sept. 13, 1904 Larsson July 9, 1907 Rhoades Feb. 3, 1920 Howe Nov. 28, 1933 Hoffman Jan. 26, 1937 Jones Aug. 29, 1939 

